Church History Matters

Dr. Keith Erekson, a Church Historian and author of 'Real vs. Rumor: How to Dispel Latter-day Myths,' joins the hosts to discuss the importance of good thinking in church history and the dangers of binary thinking. They explore the use of analogies in church policy and the usefulness of historical analogies. They also express gratitude to Dr. Erekson and announce upcoming interviews.

The hosts spread festive cheer with warm Christmas and New Year greetings. They take a moment to announce a holiday break, creating excitement around future content. Listeners can look forward to a special guest, Dr. Keith Erickson, who will explore rich themes in church history and share insights from his book. It's a delightful blend of holiday spirit and scholarly intrigue!

Explore the relationship between evidence-based faith and seeking learning. The hosts discuss the importance of critical thinking and a common language. They highlight the skill of mental flexibility and the need for contextualization. Learn about the Kirtland apostasy and a secret temple meeting. Discover the power of Christ-like attributes and critical thinking in becoming effective disciples.

This podcast discusses the importance of contextualizing facts, especially in Church History. It explores mental flexibility in seeking by study and faith, the significance of understanding perspectives, and the historical context of controversial topics. The speakers also delve into the complexity of plural marriage and the symbolic representation of the Adam and Eve story. They plan to interview experts and invite listeners to join them in studying 'mental pickle jitsu'.

Explore the importance of mental flexibility in Church History, challenging assumptions about God, prophets, and the Church. Learn from key moments in history, such as the story of Ezra Booth, to show why mental flexibility is crucial for enduring discipleship. Delve into how critical thinking and personal discovery can strengthen faith and navigate challenging aspects of belief.

Exploring the reliability of historical claims about Book of Mormon witnesses through critical thinking. Analyzing multiple witness testimonies and the credibility of these witnesses. Delving into the challenges and high stakes of determining truthfulness. Examining specific witness accounts and early criticisms, shedding light on internal strife within the early Mormon community.

Learn how historians evaluate the reliability of historical claims and the importance of being source critical. They emphasize the significance of firsthand accounts and discuss the dangers of biased narratives. The hosts analyze witness accounts and allegations of adultery involving Joseph Smith. Stay tuned for an upcoming episode on evaluating historical statements.

Exploring doctrinal reliability through Three Lenses, evaluating theological truth-claims confidently. Discussion on God and Jesus possibly being married, forgiveness and repentance in religious teachings, and universal salvation through Christ's atonement. Delving into progression between kingdoms and evolution in LDS beliefs, highlighting the importance of defending beliefs with high doctrinal confidence.

The podcast explores how to determine reliable doctrine within the LDS faith, emphasizing critical thinking and faith, embracing complexity in faith, building confidence through scriptural comparison, and addressing conflicting revelations in early church history.

In this episode of Church History Matters, the hosts delve into the role of the brain and intellect in truth seeking and faith. They discuss the importance of understanding truth, the use of mental frameworks, and the exploration of concepts. They emphasize the need to navigate complex issues without losing faith and highlight the importance of critical thinking skills in the information age. The chapter also explores the difference between philosophical and scientific methods and the complexity of studying scripture.